If it doesn't engage, will I be induced?

[babygibbon]

My second baby is due next week. Whilst I've read that second babies often don't engage until labour, I'm panicking that for some reason (e.g. it's too large / wrong position) it won't go down into my pelvis and I won't go into labour naturally, and I will need to be induced at 14 days over (as I was with my first). Does this happen? Can I go into labour even if the baby won't fit into my pelvis? Reassurance needed, please!

Was your first baby a vaginal delivery? No reason to assume that this one won't be born the same way - as you've read, often second babies don't engage till labour's started.

Careful not to have a self-fulfilling prophecy!

I didnt engage fully with Rebecca, and although I had a vaginal natural delvery, she was born face first.

Hurt like hell, but WELL worth it.

Good luck xxx

Babygibbon, I had this worry too. My waters broke & the head was nowhere near the pelvis. I went into hospital, needed to have my labour started with prostin pessary than syntocinon infusion. Got to 6cm & head still wasn't engaged. Turns out when my waters went, the hole wasn't in front of the baby's head, it was behind. What this meant was the head wasn't in contact with my cervix which slowed the labour down. Once they peirced the membranes in front of her head, then she engaged & labour cracked on, as they say. So basically, it needn't be a problem. Your MW/consultant will certainly keep an eye but as it's not your first I wouldn't worry.

Thank you for all your messages. Very reassuring. feeling a bit better, guess I've now just got to wait and see...

babygibbon just gave birth yesterday and I was induced. At same time baby wasnt engaged and did cause some concerns [mainly because the little poppet kept bobbing in and out] however I still had a normal vaginal birth.